Heel-cushion or sock-sole for shoes.



G. E. BULLARD.

HEEL CUSHION OR SOCK SOLE EOE SHOES. IfPLIQATION FILED MAY l, 1907.

1, 1 28,220. Paehtea Feb. 9, 1915.

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tuvieran sans CHARLES E. BULLARD, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR.T GEORGE R.

STETSON, 0F NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

HEEL-CUSHION OR SOCK-SOLE FOR SHOES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, i915.

Application filed May 1, 1907. Serial N0.`371,294.

T0 all whom it may concern A Be it known that I, CHARLES E. BULL-lin),

^ a citizen of the United States, residing at Brookline, in the countyof Norfolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new anduseful improvement in Heel- Cushions or Sock-Soles for Shoes, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

My invention relates to heel-cushions or socks such as are placed withinthe heelportion of a shoe, upon the sole thereof in position to receivethe pressure of the heel of the foot upon which such shoe is worn, toobviate shock or jar in walking.

The invention consists in a cushion to be worn inside a shoe, having arubber cushioning layer formed with numerous independent prominentpractically-closed hollow nipples, separated from one another at bothsides as well as at front and rear and thereby permitting air to flowfreely in all directions among them, each closed permanently except forhaving in the apex thereof a hole of relatively small area forrestricted egress and ingress'of air, to partially confine within eachnipple the air contained therein and thereby utilize the elasticity ofsuch air under compression.

In carrying the invention into'effect I employ by preference anintermediate layer of light flexible cushioning material, composed ofcork or cork-composition, closing the said nipples permanently at theback thereof, and a top-layer or facing of smooth material, preferablyleather.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, in whichlatter,-

Figure l is an edge view of a heel-cushion or seek embodying theinvention. Fig. 2 is a bottom view thereof. Fig. 3 is a view inlongitudinal section on line S, 3, of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view intransverse section on line a, ll, of Fig. 2.

Having reference to the drawings,-the rubber cushion is marked l, thebody-layer 2, and the top-facing 3. These three portions or layers aresecured together, preferably by means of cement applied to theircontacting faces. The rubber cushion is shown formed at its under side,in this instance, with the rounded projecting practically-closed hollownipples la, la, etc., extending from the web or connecting portion lb.The spacing of the said nipples or projectlons apart from one anotheradmits air .among them beneath the body-layer, and provides for freecirculation of the air in all directions as the heel cushion isalternately compressed and relieved of compression in walking. The saidnipples are hollow or chambered, to enable them to yield more readily bythe collapsing of their walls, and to contain air, and .each thereof isformed in its apex with a small opening 1c to permit egress of air underpressure, and permit ingress of air when the pressure is relieved andfacilitate the return of the nipples to their normal shapes andpositions. rllhis opening is so small, that the air is retained more orless on application of pressure, and is retarded in its escape, therebyutilizing the elasticity of the compressed air.

The escape of the air through the small openings lc in the apices of thenipples obviates bursting ofthe nipples when compressed under the weightof the wearer. rlhe said openings also permit the return` entrance ofair into the interior of the nipples when the pressure is relieved,thereby enabling the nipples to recover their full size quickly andrendering the action more lively v Layer 2, in the drawings, is formedof cork or cork-composition, which is light, flexible, andnon-absorbent. It also is quite yielding, and supplements the elasticityof the rubber cushion. Hence the heel-cushion or sock is easier and morecomfortable to the foot than when a layer of stiff leather is combinedwith a rubber cushion.

The top facing 3 consists of a thin sheet 0f leather.

The body-layer and top-facing projects some distance beyond the forwardend of the web of the rubber cushion, at the shankend of theheel-cushion or sock. The said end of the said web is thinned to afeatheredge, and the projecting portion of the body-layer is reduced andtapered by skiving so as to avoid a ridge at the front end of theheel-cushion or sock when in place within a shoe, such as would causediscomfort to the foot of the wearer. v

To suit the round of the concavity or depression which usually exists inthe sole of a. shoe, at the heel, the nipples la, la, etc., aregraduated in size, being smaller at the front and back ends, and at theopposite sides, than in the central portion, thereby causing theheel-cushion or sock to conform to the deeper depression existing in theshoe-sole for the reception of the ball of the heel, and the comparativeelevation around such depression.

The forward end of the body-layer 2 is coated with glue, as indicated at4, to enable such end to be caused to adhere to the surface ot the soleof a shoe. A. tack or tacks may be employed, in addition, to assist inholding the heel-cushion or sock in place, or the tack or tacks alonemay be utilized.

l. A cushion to be worn inside a shoe, having a rubber cushioning,`layer formed with numerous independent prominent permanentlypractically-closed hollow nipples, separated trom one another at bothsides as well as at iront and rear and thereby per mitting air to flowireely in all directions among them, each closed permanently except forhaving in the apex thereof a hole of relatively small area forrestricted egress and ingress ot air, to obviate bursting` undercompression by permitting1 escape of air, while partially confining'within each nipple the air contained therein and thereby utilizing` theelasticity ot such air under compression, said holes permitting'entrance of air to enable the nipples to recover full size quickly andrender the action more lively.

2. A cushion for wear inside a shoe, having a rubber cushioning,` layerformed with numerous independent prctuberant practically-closed hollownipples, separated from one another at both sides as well as at irontand rear, and a cork layer secured to said rubber layer and permanentlyclosing,` the said nipples at the back thereof, each nipple being`completely closed except for having; a small hole of relatively smallarea in its apex for restricted egress and ingress of air, topractically confine within the nipple the air contained therein, andthereby utilize the elasticity of such air under compression, the spacesat all sides oit the individual nipples permitting` air to ilow freelyin all directions among them.

3. A cushion for wear inside a shoe, having;v a rubber cushioning layerformed with numerous independent protuberant practically-closed hollownipples of graduated lengths, longest at the. center of the cushion andshortest atsides, front end and rear end, separated from one another atboth sides as well as at liront and thereby permitting air to iiow:freely in all directions among' them, each closed permanently excepti'cr having in the apex thereoi a hole of relatively small area forrestricted egress and ingress of air, to partially confine within eachnipple the air contained therein and thereby utilize the elasticity ofsuch air under compression.

In testimony whereof l atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

y CHARLES E. BULLARD.

Witnesses Cries. F. RANDALL, EDITH JjANnnRsoN.

Copies o1 this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner oi Patents,

A Washington, D. C.

lt is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,128,220, grantedFebruary 9, 1915, upon the application of Charles E. Bullard, ofBrookline, Massachusetts, for an improvement in Heel-Cushions orSock-Soles for Shoes, an error appears in the printed speeioationrequiring' correction as follows: Page 2, line 59, after the Word frontinsert the Words and rear; and that the said Letters Patent should beread with this correction therein` that vthe same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of March, A. D., 1915.

J. T. NEWTON,

Acting' ommz'ss-z'oner of Patents.

[SEAL]

